Limited edition futuristic custom moto has its roots in the past

Bandit9, a Saigon-based custom builder known for creating futuristic looking designs from a variety of donor bikes, has knocked it out of the immediate solar system with its latest design. Originally a 1967 Honda Supersport, the Eve MK II now bears no resemblance whatsoever to its predecessor. And that's a good thing.

Starting with the handcrafted unibody tank, this single piece of polished steel has been molded into a form that is not only beautiful to look at but is completely functional as a combined gas tank, seat and rear cowl. Considering so many of today's builders are going for the rough and tumble scrambler look, the polished and elegant design of the Eve Mk II is a breath of fresh air.

One doesn't have to be a designer or fabricator to also appreciate the skill it took to create that front X-cowl. It resembles something that could be equally at home on the front end of a new X-wing fighter on Star Wars. Though, as a working piece of art and not a race bike, expecting too much in the way of performance may be cause for disappointment.

The engine is an air-cooled, single cylinder 125 cc linked to a 4-speed transmission with the ability to hit all of 8 kW (11 hp) and produce 12.7 Nm (9.4 lb ft) of torque. Those numbers won't win you any races but the Bandit9 can reach a claimed and respectable top speed of 110 km/h (68 mph). Though, the gas tank portion of that unibody only holds 4 L (1 gallon) of fuel, so riders won't get too far before needing to find a gas station.

Completing the custom look and design is a simple cowhide leather seat, custom exhaust, exposed front and rear suspension, and an electric starter.

Bandit9 has produced a limited run of nine Eve MK II bikes specifically for MAD Gallery, where they're being offered for sale at CHF 14,500 (about US$15,000), plus taxes and shipping.

Take a look at the video to get a sense for what inspires Daryl Villanueva and the Bandit9 design and build philosophy.